US8485760B2ActiveUtilityA1

Tire georeinforcing system

65
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: May 17, 2010Filed: May 17, 2011Granted: Jul 16, 2013
Est. expiryMay 17, 2030(~3.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Michael J. Merrill
E02D 29/0241E02D 3/00E02D 17/20E02D 29/02E02D 29/025
65
PatentIndex Score
2
Cited by
31
References
20
Claims

Abstract

A georeinforcing system, comprising a plurality of georeinforcement elements, each georeinforcement element formed from one or more basic connector pieces having one or more tire treads and one or more tire sidewalls fastened together in an alternating pattern with non-metallic screws. The plurality of georeinforcement elements are attached to a facing element and surrounded in particulate matter to support the facing element.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A georeinforcing element, comprising:
 a first tire tread; 
 a second tire tread; 
 a tire sidewall connecting the first tire tread and the second tire tread, a first portion of the tire sidewall attached to the first tire tread, and a second portion of the tire sidewall attached to the second tire tread; and 
 a tire block positioned at an end of the first tire tread, the tire block providing a contact surface area for the first portion of the tire sidewall. 
 
     
     
       2. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a fastening device fastening the tire block to the first tire tread. 
     
     
       3. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the fastening device includes one or more of a bolt, a screw, or a rivet. 
     
     
       4. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the fastening device is non-metallic and non-corrosive. 
     
     
       5. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tire block includes a lip positioned to project over an edge of the tire block. 
     
     
       6. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a fastening device fastening the tire block to the first tire tread. 
     
     
       7. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tire block is formed from one or more cut pieces of a tire. 
     
     
       8. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more cut pieces of tire are formed from a tire sidewall. 
     
     
       9. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more cut pieces of tire are formed from a combination of tire tread and tire sidewall. 
     
     
       10. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more cut pieces of tire include a stack of one or more smaller cut pieces and at least one larger cut piece placed on top of the one or more smaller cut pieces, the at least one larger cut piece forming a tire lip. 
     
     
       11. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the one or more cut pieces of tire are not cut from the first tire tread, the second tire tread, or the tire sidewall. 
     
     
       12. A georeinforcing element, comprising:
 a plurality of first tire treads; 
 a plurality of second tire treads; and 
 a plurality of tire block connectors connecting the plurality of first tire treads and the plurality of second tire treads to form a chain of tire treads, wherein the plurality of tire block connectors are formed from a stack of two or more cut pieces of a tire. 
 
     
     
       13. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein each tire block connector among the plurality of tire block connectors includes one or more of a bolt, a screw, or a rivet fastening each tire block connector to each tire tread. 
     
     
       14. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of tire block connectors are non-metallic and non-corrosive. 
     
     
       15. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the two or more cut pieces of tire are not cut from the plurality of first tire treads or the plurality of second tire treads. 
     
     
       16. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the two or more cut pieces of tire are formed from a tire tread. 
     
     
       17. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the two or more cut pieces of tire are formed from a tire sidewall. 
     
     
       18. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the two or more cut pieces of tire are formed from a combination of tire tread and tire sidewall. 
     
     
       19. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the stack of two or more cut pieces of tire includes one or more smaller cut pieces and at least one larger cut piece placed on top of the one or more smaller cut pieces, the at least one larger cut piece forming a tire lip. 
     
     
       20. The georeinforcing element as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a first tire block connector among the plurality of tire block connectors has a first orientation, wherein a second tire block connector among the plurality of tire block connectors has a second orientation that is opposite the first orientation, and wherein the first tire block connector mates with the second tire block connector.

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